Our Vision
Our vision is to create a strong, visible, and inclusive veteran community where all who have served are valued, supported, and connected. CivDivCIC aims to ensure that Black and Commonwealth veterans are fully recognised for their contribution to the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces and have equal access to support, opportunities, and community engagement.
We believe that veterans thrive when they remain connected to one another and to the communities they helped protect.
Through engagement programmes, wellbeing activities, and partnership working, CivDivCIC seeks to strengthen the bonds between veterans, families, and the wider community.
Our long-term ambition is to establish a recognised Black Veterans Engagement Hub, providing a central place where veterans can gather, access services, share their stories, and continue contributing to society.
By working collaboratively with national and local partners, CivDivCIC seeks to contribute to the wider veteran support network and the national vision of improving coordination of services for veterans across the United Kingdom.
The Black Veterans Hub
CivDivCIC is developing a dedicated Black Veterans Engagement Hub, designed to bring together veteran services, community activities, and heritage initiatives in one welcoming space.
The hub will provide a safe and inclusive environment where veterans can:
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Connect with other veterans and build supportive networks
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Access information and guidance on welfare, housing, employment, and wellbeing
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Participate in social, educational, and cultural activities
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Engage in skills development and volunteering opportunities
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Share their stories and experiences as part of the historical record of service
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The hub will also act as a gateway to the wider veteran support system, connecting individuals with specialist organisations and services when needed.
Through regular events, outreach programmes, and partnerships with veteran organisations, universities, and community groups, CivDivCIC aims to ensure that the hub becomes an active and vibrant centre for engagement, remembrance, and support.
As part of this development, CivDivCIC is working towards contributing to the national veteran support network and aligning its work with the ambitions of Operation VALOUR, which seeks to improve coordination and access to services for the Armed Forces community.
Our Partnership with WASP
Our Partnership with the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP)
CivDivCIC works in close partnership with the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP), a historic organisation representing Caribbean and Commonwealth veterans who served in the British Armed Forces.
For decades, WASP has provided a vital community for veterans, preserving the heritage and experiences of those who travelled from the Caribbean and across the Commonwealth to serve the United Kingdom.
This partnership brings together:
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CivDivCIC’s engagement and community development approach, and
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WASP’s heritage, veteran network, and historic legacy.
Together, we aim to ensure that the contributions of Black and Commonwealth veterans are recognised, preserved, and celebrated for future generations. Through joint events, heritage projects, veteran gatherings, and community outreach, CivDivCIC and WASP are committed to strengthening the veteran community while ensuring that the stories of those who served are never forgotten.
This partnership forms a key part of the development of the Black Veterans Engagement Hub, which will serve as a place where history, community, and support come together.
Why Black Veterans Need a Dedicated Engagement Hub
Black and Commonwealth veterans have played a significant role in the history of the British Armed Forces, serving with distinction across generations and conflicts. Many travelled thousands of miles from the Caribbean and across the Commonwealth to serve the United Kingdom, contributing to the defence and security of the nation.
Despite these contributions, many Black veterans have historically experienced barriers in accessing support services, recognition, and community engagement opportunities after leaving the Armed Forces. Cultural differences, lack of awareness of available services, and social isolation can make it more difficult for some veterans to connect with the wider support system.
A dedicated engagement hub provides a welcoming and culturally understanding environment where veterans can reconnect with one another, share their experiences, and access information about the services available to them.
The hub also plays an important role in preserving the heritage and stories of Black and Commonwealth service personnel, ensuring that their contributions remain visible and recognised within the wider history of the Armed Forces.
Through the development of the Black Veterans Engagement Hub, CivDivCIC, in partnership with the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP), aims to strengthen community connections, improve access to support services, and ensure that the legacy of those who served continues to inspire future generations. By providing a space for engagement, heritage, and support, the hub will help ensure that Black and Commonwealth veterans remain connected, recognised, and supported within the wider Armed Forces community.